Imagination and creativity are two watchwords to champion when considering how to make Government and public sector buildings more eco-friendly. Record energy costs coupled with ambitious net zero targets will, no doubt, accelerate the pledge to make buildings more eco-friendly. Late last year, the Cabinet Office set out new guidance
Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has been given planning consent to deliver 660,000 sq ft of logistics warehousing in North Yorkshire. Sitting adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park in Leeds, Firethorn’s 37-acre scheme will comprise four highly specified Grade-A units, delivered to net-zero carbon in construction. With
A new development located in Newhaven, East Sussex, on the former Parker Pen factory site, has marked leading social housing provider, Stonewater’s 5000th new home completed since the association’s formation in 2015. Representatives from Stonewater, including Chairman Sheila Collins, CEO Nicholas Harris, as well as members of the development team
Host of digital and people-centric solutions launched at flagship annual customer and partner event series CEO keynote lays out how adopting existing technologies at scale will help bolster energy security, resilience and decarbonization Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today kicked off its
Conlon Construction has successfully commenced stage one of a two-stage tender process via the North West Construction Hub to deliver a new extra care facility in South Ribble, which will support independent living for older people. Planning approval has now been granted for Jubilee Gardens, located on West Paddock in
Acorn Building Services will combine the UK recruiter’s construction, M&E and housing output to further support availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups Acorn is launching an all-new division as it looks to deepen its commitment towards creating added social value for the benefit of the local communities it
Teladoc, the world’s leading provider of virtual healthcare services to a wide range of insurers, large corporates, affinity groups and the NHS, has completed a relocation to larger premises in Brighton to support its sustained growth. The fit-out to its 330sq m offices was completed by BRAC Contracts, the second
New speculative logistics/industrial development will see the construction of a 367,152 sq ft Grade A logistics facility at TCC’s Shepcote Lane Site in Sheffield. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has announced that it has been awarded its second project in
The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham, made a welcome return to the NEC last week, with visitor numbers up 19% from last year. The show drew over 23,900 visitors from as far afield as Turkey, Brazil, Australia and Canada, and included a host
CROSS KEYS HOMES (CKH) has signed contracts with Willmott Dixon to build their flagship Northminster development. Willmott Dixon was invited on to the development team by Peterborough Investment Partnership (PIP) earlier this year before the site was sold on to CKH, and since then have led on the demolition of
Imagination and creativity are two watchwords to champion when considering how to make Government and public sector buildings more eco-friendly. Record energy costs coupled with ambitious net zero targets will, no doubt, accelerate the pledge to make buildings more eco-friendly. Late last year, the Cabinet Office set out new guidance on how it will seek to reduce emissions and reach a net zero target by 2050. Get it right, and there are huge gains to be made. Making buildings more sustainable is important. Emissions from public buildings contribute significantly to global warming every year. The benefits of reducing the carbon footprint from so many buildings across the UK is therefore clear to see, and can encourage private sector organisations to follow suit. But it is one thing setting a target and another reaching it. So just how do the Government and public sector agencies get there? Having worked with public sector agencies and private companies on sustainability projects for many years, we believe there are some fundamental points – or ingredients – to consider. These are: Future focus: Government and public sector leaders should be in no rush to knock down buildings in favour of developing brand new ones in their place. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding these places, the most sustainable way to improve them is to retrofit them. There’s a saying which reads: ‘the greenest building is the one already standing’. So we need to find ways to improve and adapt our buildings rather than simply replacing them. This is because knocking down and rebuilding is a process which itself creates more embodied carbon and waste. Funding: In terms of the public estate, it’s an aging, underfunded property portfolio which results in maintenance issues and poor performance from a sustainability perspective. Budget needs to be dedicated to this portfolio to help realise the target and ambitions set out with the emissions drive. Fit for purpose: In addition to this, if the Government is to establish guidance which works to regulate itself, it needs to lead by example. It’s not only a question of sustainability but also comfort. Prisons and hospitals need to be fit for purpose and provide a social value element to better benefit the communities they stand in. Education and Regulation: Government, public sector leaders and Consultants need to lead the discussion, and more importantly educate their teams on the issues and possible solutions which should be considered. The hierarchy of ‘Repurpose’, ‘Refurbish’, ‘Remodel’, Re-build should be the default approach where viable. A review of regulations should also be undertaken, with consideration of a new building regulation part, focused specifically on embodied and operational carbon for new construction. While a huge challenge to meet these emissions targets lie ahead, it is also an incredibly exciting time laden with opportunity to really push for a ‘greener’ future. The Government has also published a Net Zero Estate Playbook which will help inspire and guide public sector organisations on effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. This guide highlights encouraging consistent approaches to using solar panels, greener building materials, EV vehicle charge points and LED lighting. The new guidance for Government buildings aims to make national infrastructure ‘greener’ by giving Government departments, the public sector and government property professionals clear guidance on the design, implementation, and monitoring of net zero strategies and delivery programmes. The approaches can be applied to existing and new build properties and aims to encourage the use of low carbon materials and provide an improved understanding of a building’s environmental impact over its entire lifespan. The UK was the first major country to legislate for net zero. This ‘road map’ for Government buildings – if followed correctly – can help this country take a big step towards reaching these ambitious, but hugely important targets to benefit us all.
Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has been given planning consent to deliver 660,000 sq ft of logistics warehousing in North Yorkshire. Sitting adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park in Leeds, Firethorn’s 37-acre scheme will comprise four highly specified Grade-A units, delivered to net-zero carbon in construction. With approval from Selby District Council, work on site will begin in November, with completion expected in Q3 2023. The ‘Excellent’ BREEAM-Rated scheme includes 15% roof lighting and future provisions for power generation, with particular attention paid to the landscaped environment, which looks to enhance local biodiversity whilst creating an attractive working space. Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn, commented: “With units ranging from 57,750 to 280,000 sq ft, Sherburn42 is set to be a significant development for the region. “Providing a flexible, modern and sustainable space, and with excellent transport connections linking road, rail and sea, we believe the scheme offers a smart solution for businesses looking to expand their operations. “Now that we have received the green light from the council, we look forward to beginning work on site and bringing this project forward at pace.” Benefiting from up to 4MvA power, the approved plans include eaves heights of 15m to haunch, 11 ground-level access doors and 633 parking spaces. Close proximity to junction 42 A1 (M) provides direct connections to Leeds, the M1, M62 and coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby, as well as a number of regional rail stations and airports. Enquiries should be directed to the scheme’s letting agents: Colliers, Lambert Smith Hampton, and Carter Towler.
A new development located in Newhaven, East Sussex, on the former Parker Pen factory site, has marked leading social housing provider, Stonewater’s 5000th new home completed since the association’s formation in 2015. Representatives from Stonewater, including Chairman Sheila Collins, CEO Nicholas Harris, as well as members of the development team that have been involved in the project, welcomed the Mayor of Newhaven, Councillor Paul Boswell to the site opening, which took place recently. The scheme, called Safford Park, incorporates 145 new homes being built on the former Parker Pen factory site and close to the River Ouse, which will provide a range of affordable housing options for residents. Developed by Hill Partnerships, an award-winning house builder that operates across London and the Southeast, the Safford Park scheme is the first collaboration between Stonewater and the construction firm. Each of the homes have been built to EPC B energy rating standards and offer electric vehicle charging points. The development will also incorporate a community garden and allotment space to encourage environmentally friendly living. Stonewater, which is renowned for its inclusion of public art at its developments has paid homage to the history of the site with the artistic display for Safford Park. The entranceway to the development will be home to two oversized fountain pen nibs, while further nods to the Parker Pen history will be seen in pen lid shaped bollards and nib shaped railings that will be installed across the site. Nicholas Harris, CEO at Stonewater said: “We’re hugely proud to have reached our 5000th home achievement and at such a fantastic development at Safford Park, which really showcases the quality of sustainable homes we have built over the last seven years. Achieving this significant milestone is a testament to the team and our partners that have worked with us across every project that Stonewater has delivered to get us to this point.” Jonathan Layzell, Executive Director – Development at Stonewater “The site in Newhaven is incredibly important, not only to the local area where affordable housing is needed, but also to our overall mission to delivering good quality homes to people who need them most. “While we take a moment to celebrate the work that has got us to this point, we also look forward, as a team, to the next milestone, and beyond.” Paul Boswell, Mayor of Newhaven said: “I was delighted to be asked to attend the ceremony to mark the construction of the Stonewater’s 5000th home. The development in Newhaven is an attractive mix of houses and apartments of various sizes. New homes in our town are in high demand and I’m sure it won’t be long before all these quality properties are fully occupied. Harvey Dhami, Deputy Regional Director at The Hill Group comments: “We would like to congratulate Stonewater for achieving this impressive milestone and are delighted that homes at our Safford Park development have contributed to the 5,000 new homes provided. These energy efficient homes will deliver much needed affordable housing for the local community at Newhaven and ensure current and future generations can enjoy living in a high-quality sustainable home.” The development also provided opportunities for engagement with the local community. Strong links were established with students studying construction at Sussex College, who were invited to attend regular site visits and meet staff working on site, while children at the local primary school were involved in a poster competition showcasing what they like about their local area, with the winning posters displayed on site. The Hill Group also employed a number of local students at the site and plumbing apprentice, Kai Sol was presented with a new tool bag as a sign of appreciation for his involvement in the project at the opening event.
Host of digital and people-centric solutions launched at flagship annual customer and partner event series CEO keynote lays out how adopting existing technologies at scale will help bolster energy security, resilience and decarbonization Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today kicked off its Innovation Summit World Tour 2022 with a passionate call to address the triple crisis – energy, economic and climate – facing governments, businesses and consumers around the globe, and setting out its approach and solutions as to how to do this. “In a time of global crisis, we must have complete clarity on our journey and destination. The current energy crisis is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric. “With energy demand globally anticipated to grow three-fold in the next 30 years, it’s vital that we deploy all the technologies that are already available now to accelerate electrification, digitization, and sustainability.” Mr Tricoire was speaking at the start of what is Schneider Electric’s flagship annual customer event series in October and November, during which the company will unveil numerous innovative new product, software and service offerings that address the pressing environmental and social issues arising from the energy crisis and climate change. His comments come hot on the heels of Climate Week NYC, where Schneider Electric’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, called for more attention to be paid to the often still underestimated demand-side of energy crisis — in other words, how much energy is consumed in the first place. The company’s Schneider Electric Research Institute team issued a first of its kind quantitative study demonstrating the potential of available technologies, which, if combined and deployed at scale has the potential to lower carbon emissions by two-thirds by 2030, while generating massive savings on energy spend for building dwellers (up to 70%). Schneider has long advocated for urgent, concerted action to reduce energy waste, invest in renewables, electrify and digitalize energy ecosystems, and ensure that all this is done with economic and people welfare in mind. The company is widely recognized as a leader on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and its products, services and other activities help customers, suppliers, business partners and communities further their own progress on those fronts. Schneider will announce a raft of innovations at its Innovation Summit World Tour. Full details of the news from the Energy Management division can be found here and innovations in the Industrial Automation space can be found here. Following local events in Middle East and Africa, Singapore, China and Belgium, the Innovation Summit World Tour commences on October 12th with a global keynote address and press conference, and then moves on to: USA (Las Vegas) – 12th -13th October UK & Ireland (London, Coventry, Leeds, Galway) – 20th October Argentina – 25th – 26th October Indonesia (Jakarta) – 2nd -3rd November Hong Kong – 8th November With sustainability at its core, and to celebrate and champion initiatives around the world, Schneider also announced its Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards, designed to recognize the critical role customers and suppliers play in delivering a more resilient and sustainable world. Understanding that our successful partners and suppliers will set the precedent for others to follow in their footsteps, the program hopes to deliver significant impact through considered sustainable and efficient practices. Nominations are now open, and the deadline for submissions is November 25.
Conlon Construction has successfully commenced stage one of a two-stage tender process via the North West Construction Hub to deliver a new extra care facility in South Ribble, which will support independent living for older people. Planning approval has now been granted for Jubilee Gardens, located on West Paddock in Leyland, which will include 70 apartments with on-site support and facilities such as a café and hair salon, designed to help people live longer in their own homes. Owned and managed by South Ribble Borough Council, Jubilee Gardens is the first scheme of its kind in the borough, and has been designed in a sustainable way, including improved pedestrian links to Leyland town centre, secure cycle parking and mobility scooter hire to promote the use of eco-friendly transport. Work is planned to begin on site before the end of the year, with completion due in 2024. Applications of interest from potential residents will open from 2023. Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction, said: “This will be a pivotal development for the local area, setting new standards in the design of extra care facilities that are so vital for the community. “As with all of our projects, we will be ensuring that local contractors are tasked with supporting us, so we play our part in boosting businesses that, like us, contribute to the success of the local economy. “Now that planning approval has been granted, we’ll be getting straight to work so that older residents in South Ribble can begin to experience all the benefits of Jubilee Gardens as soon as possible.” Councillor Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “I am very pleased that Jubilee Gardens has now got the go-ahead to start. This is the first scheme of this kind for South Ribble and will provide a much-needed housing solution for our ageing population. It is exciting to see the project move on to the next stage to deliver these benefits. “Despite the cost pressures within the construction industry the Council has committed to deliver the scheme to achieve high levels of energy efficiency to assist residents with the rising cost of living. Jubilee Gardens is part of South Ribble Borough Council’s planned investment programme for the borough, and I am pleased that we will be able to offer this support for residents in the future.” Artist’s impressions of the scheme can be viewed at www.southribble.gov.uk/jubileegardens
Acorn Building Services will combine the UK recruiter’s construction, M&E and housing output to further support availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups Acorn is launching an all-new division as it looks to deepen its commitment towards creating added social value for the benefit of the local communities it works in. Acorn Building Services will combine the UK recruiter’s Construction, Mechanical, Engineering and Housing divisions into one, to help increase the availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups in all sectors. Acorn has overseen a number of social value initiatives and consistently championed the introduction of new entrants into the construction industry in recent years, working with partners including Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service and homeless charity The Wallich, running its own Women in Construction initiatives, and more. With a focus on South Wales and Bristol to begin with, its Acorn Building Services division will now help drive forward new projects and initiatives aimed at further supporting its clients in contributing socially as well as economically to areas they work in too. Lawrence Beach, Client Development Director for Acorn, will be responsible for developing these initiatives, focusing on social value, people pathways, tenders and more. Operations Director Osian John will also head up the new division in an operational capacity and drive the day to day running of the team involved. Lawrence said: “The work Acorn has already done using employment as a key driver to create social value is something that we are hugely passionate about across the organisation, and we feel now is the time to push forward with plans to implement and develop a range of new initiatives that we hope will prove invaluable to Acorn and the businesses we support in future too. “My role as part of Acorn Building Services will involve working closely with clients and local stakeholders to develop collaborative programmes that will assist Acorn and our clients in maximising the social value we are able to have within local communities. In essence, we want to ensure the employment opportunities we are involved in are used in the most productive, sustainable way possible.” Osian said: “We identified a need for Lawrence to spend a lot more time developing initiatives which will benefit the people and communities in which we work, but this on its own was a full-time commitment. So, I’ll be responsible for day-to-day operations around sales, business development, compliance and recruitment strategy, enabling Lawrence to give that job his full focus.” Acorn has a network of 30 branches supporting businesses with recruitment needs through its specialist divisions, which cover manufacturing, production, IT, legal, construction, commercial, energy, life sciences, aerospace and other sectors. Its Building Services division will initially support teams in Cardiff, Bristol and Gloucestershire to develop temporary and permanent employment partnerships with a community focus across the construction and housing sectors more widely. Marc Jones, Director of Operations Technical at Acorn, said the focus then would be on growing and developing Acorn Building Services as a division within its own right over the next 3 to 5 years, with the aim of expanding its services throughout the South West and beyond. Marc said: “This development really marks an important milestone for Acorn, as well as the businesses we’re able to support in contributing to communities where they work in a much more impactful and sustainable way, as our reputation across the construction and building services sectors has become more and more established, through working so closely with a large number of construction-related employers. ”The knock-on effect for workers, and for people looking for jobs, at all levels, whether skilled or currently un-skilled, can be genuinely transformational – and this is at the heart of the way our work across the building and construction areas has developed in recent years. It’s something we at Acorn think very deeply about, and are determined to continue to make as big an impact as we possibly can.” For more information visit about Acorn Building Services visit www.acornpeople.com
Teladoc, the world’s leading provider of virtual healthcare services to a wide range of insurers, large corporates, affinity groups and the NHS, has completed a relocation to larger premises in Brighton to support its sustained growth. The fit-out to its 330sq m offices was completed by BRAC Contracts, the second such project it has delivered at Aspect House on Queen’s Road in the past few months. Active in the UK market for over 10 years, Teladoc has grown rapidly, and following the Covid-19 pandemic when this growth was further boosted, it became apparent that larger premises would be needed. Larger premises, however, needed to also meet specific post-pandemic needs as Rachel Austwick, Office Manager, explains: “Having been based in Brighton for three years, we were acutely aware of how well established the area is for the digital, professional and health industries, so we were keen to remain here as the team grew further. However, it was imperative to make the new offices not only modern, but also flexible, accessible and above all a safe environment to which we could welcome staff and those who visit us for face-to-face meetings. “We spent a significant amount of time looking for the right location and when we found Aspect House it ticked so many boxes. Not only is it a stone’s throw from both the train and bus stations, it also offered the accessibility needed for a business that welcomes visitors with mobility issues. The floor itself had great potential, offering us the chance to create from scratch our own meeting room spaces and breakout area.” The Category-B fit-out work that BRAC Contracts carried out on the fifth floor which is now occupied by Teladoc, has been comprised of M&E alterations, stud partition walls and glass partitions, kitchen and break-out area installations, and the complete refurbishment of the bathroom facilities. Commenting on the work, Rachel continues: “It’s always nice to receive recommendations for work of this kind, but the benefit that we had was being able to witness first-hand the BRAC team in action on another floor of Aspect House and get to know them that way. “From our first meeting, it was clear that the BRAC team was professional, knowledgeable and had a great pedigree. Having Tony Saxby, the Project Manager, on site made the experience smooth and the whole team was welcoming and attentive to answering our questions. From the initial quote through to the recent completion and handover, they’ve all been brilliant, and I wouldn’t hesitate in either engaging them again, or recommending them to others.” Teladoc’s new Brighton base has been designed to accommodate up to 50 team members at any given time ranging from directors, through to clinical staff and support services such as HR and IT. Concluding, Adam Clark MD at BRAC Contracts said: “Having successfully managed a commercial fit-out for Jarltech on the 3rd floor of Aspect House, it has been an honour to so quickly be recommended for another similar project in the same building. “Teladoc’s workload has exploded in the wake of the pandemic and working closely with Rachel and the team, we’ve successfully delivered a workspace that will sustain this busy team in their important work both today and for many years to come.”
New speculative logistics/industrial development will see the construction of a 367,152 sq ft Grade A logistics facility at TCC’s Shepcote Lane Site in Sheffield. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has announced that it has been awarded its second project in succession by leading global developer and investor in commercial real estate Trammell Crow Company (TCC) to build a 367,152 sq ft logistics development at its 20-acre Shepcote Lane Site in Sheffield. The Grade A logistics facility will be constructed by Glencar consisting of a structural steel multi-span portal frame with a clear height to the underside of the haunch of 18m. The project also includes site access improvements, estate roads, an 83m deep service yard with HGV & trailer parking, car parks, motorcycle and cycle parking, landscaping, security fencing, a gatehouse and automatic access barriers. The site is located only half a mile on a direct route from Junction 34 of the M1 motorway. It previously housed a 455,750 sq ft facility, let to fencing manufacturer Betafence. Located in an established industrial area with an existing logistics allocation, tenants such as Clipper Logistics; Pretty Little Thing; ITM and Great Bear have recently taken space nearby. In keeping with its global standards, TCC is targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A certifications, while also installing electric vehicle charging points for passenger cars and HGV vehicles aimed at reducing emissions and improving local air quality. Additionally, occupiers will benefit from photovoltaic roof panelling to offset the base electrical consumption, which is expandable to cover the entire building.. The start of construction was celebrated by a ground breaking hosted onsite is due to start onsite and completion is due in summer 2023. KAM are acting as employers agent, CBRE planning consultants on the project and Chetwoods were appointed as the architect and WSP as civil and structural engineers. The unit is expected to create 450 new jobs. Additional employment opportunities are envisaged during the development and construction of the new scheme. Speaking about the contract award Pete Goodman Glencar Managing Director Midlands and North said: “So soon after being awarded our first project for Trammell Crow Company at Merton Drive in Milton Keynes we are absolutely delighted to receive this second, subsequent instruction in Sheffield which serves as TCC’s second logistics site in the UK and fourth in Europe as its continues to expand rapidly.. With Glencar currently working on projects in Crewe, Wigan and Rochdale with another scheme due to soon start in Stafford we are increasingly active in the North as we continue to leverage our strong credentials in the Logistics and Industrial sector. By virtue of its outstanding position and easy access to the M1, the Shepcote Lane scheme is ideally placed to serve the growing requirements of occupiers seeking high quality, state of the art logistics accommodation. We look forward to working closely with TCC and the full project team and delivering an high quality end product. Graham Reece, Head of European Logistics Construction at Trammell Crow Company, said: “This is a great next step for our growth in Europe following the start of construction at our first UK site in Milton Keynes and in Spain, reinforcing Trammell Crow Company’s position as a leading global developer. As we continue to secure new sites and prepare for construction across the continent, we are ensuring all our developments meet investors’ and occupiers’ needs with high-quality and consistent design and specification. We look forward to transforming this space into a high-quality industrial and logistics offering.” We very much look forward to be partnering once again with Glencar and look forward to seeing the reinvention of this redundant development into a Grade A logistics facility.”
The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham, made a welcome return to the NEC last week, with visitor numbers up 19% from last year. The show drew over 23,900 visitors from as far afield as Turkey, Brazil, Australia and Canada, and included a host of high-profile names including West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Channel 4 presenter George Clarke, and BBC journalist and presenter Simon Jack. UKCW Birmingham celebrated culture change in construction with three days of debate and discussion from top speakers across seven stages, with issues covered including Net Zero, sustainability, offsite manufacturing, mental health, and improving diversity and inclusion. Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street took time from his busy schedule to visit the show, where he was a keynote speaker on the Main Stage, facing a Question Time from an audience of industry professionals. Andy Howe, founder and managing director of CareersForce, was named UKCW Role Model 2022; CareersForce helps UK key workers such as those from the armed forces, police and NHS to forge a new career in a range of new sectors including construction. The winning exhibitors of this year’s Stand Awards included: Rolec (best 50m+ space stand), Harwoods (best space under 50m), Restec (best shell scheme), Tough CAD (best use of marketing), Zero Hub (most interactive) and Celsa (for innovation). Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director, commented after the show: “There is so much happening in the construction industry right now that has put UK Construction Week into a unique position, whereby it can inform and educate the sector as it moves forward. There is a real sense of momentum now as we plan the next one, especially on meeting our next zero targets and creating long lasting culture change. A record number of companies have signed up for 2023 so we look forward to really growing the UKs largest trade show for construction” Chloe Donovan, Chief Exec of Natural Building Systems, said: “We’ve had an amazing time – met everyone from potential suppliers, industrial partners, contractors and investors; I can’t recommend it highly enough.” Gary Scott, managing director at Hanson Plywood, commented: “We were at UKCW Birmingham because it’s the hub of the UK construction industry. We get a lot out of it; we don’t do many shows, but UKCW Birmingham does work.” With over 6,000 products on display from over 300 exciting exhibitors including Bosch, Schneider Electric, Google, Graco Distribution, Wavin, Hanson Plywood and many more, the multi award-winning show attracted an abundance of overseas exhibitors from as far afield as Australia, India, Norway, Turkey and the UAE. Dates for next year’s two shows have already been announced: UKCW London will take place from 2-4 May 2023 at ExCeL; UKCW Birmingham will run from 3-5 October 2023 at the NEC.
CROSS KEYS HOMES (CKH) has signed contracts with Willmott Dixon to build their flagship Northminster development. Willmott Dixon was invited on to the development team by Peterborough Investment Partnership (PIP) earlier this year before the site was sold on to CKH, and since then have led on the demolition of the existing buildings and groundworks on the site. Now it has signed a main works development contract which will see Willmott Dixon leading on all aspects of the build of this exciting £70 million development project. CKH’s Chief Executive, Claire Higgins, said: “We are delighted to have signed contracts with Willmott Dixon to deliver this flagship scheme for the city, which will provide 315 new affordable homes. “Willmott Dixon’s purpose is to deliver brilliant buildings, transform lives, strengthen communities and enhance the environment, which goes hand-in-hand with our core objectives and makes them the ideal partner for this exciting development.” David McCallion, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We’re pleased to have now signed contracts with Cross Keys Homes for this fantastic ten-storey flagship development. “This is a hugely significant regeneration project, and we will be using innovative construction methods to build better, greener and smarter. Offsite elements will include a lightgauge steel frame, brick slips and the use of bathroom pods, which will help to ensure quality, programme certainty and come with environmental benefits.” Due to be finished in October 2024, the Northminster development, which is in part, being funded by a £12.5 million grant from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, will provide much needed high-quality affordable housing in the city centre. CKH are being advised on this project by construction consultants AA Projects, and working alongside Willmott Dixon are a project team which consists of architects Corstorphine & Wright, planning consultants ELG, structural engineers SBK, and mechanical and electrical engineers Briggs & Forrester. Willmott Dixon will be prioritising locally sourced labour, providing training opportunities and investing in local businesses throughout the build period, which is anticipated to take around two years with the first completed homes expected by summer 2024. The bespoke social value commitment planned will generate a social return on investment in the region of £3.2 million.